Universities

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Is it possible to get into Oxbridge with mainly grades alone? I'm a year 12 student, predicted A*A*A in Maths, Further Maths and Physics. I'm not sure whether to consider apply to Oxbridge in the summer. It always seems like they need lots of extra requirements, such as an entrance exam for maths and engineering (the two degrees I'm considering). I debated signing up for a Cambridge Women in STEM residential, which might lower the entrance requirements. I don't participate in much extracurriculars, I have competed in Ritangle and an internal maths competition in my school, however we haven't preformed very well. I have no (relevant) work experience either.

Is Oxbridge even worth considering? I want a good university but I also want a lively city with good student life. Though, I think Oxbridge may have more of that than I think.

Are there any other good university you'd advise me to consider too?

(edited 2 months ago)

Reply 1

Anonymous #1

Not grades alone at all, everyone has three or four a stars so you really need a lot more to even be considered.

Reply 2

artful_lounger

Clearing and Applications Advisor, Universities Forum Helper

22

Original post

by orlaughable

Is it possible to get into Oxbridge with mainly grades alone? I'm a year 12 student, predicted A*A*A in Maths, Further Maths and Physics. I'm not sure whether to consider apply to Oxbridge in the summer. It always seems like they need lots of extra requirements, such as an entrance exam for maths and engineering (the two degrees I'm considering). I debated signing up for a Cambridge Women in STEM residential, which might lower the entrance requirements. I don't participate in much extracurriculars, I have competed in Ritangle and an internal maths competition in my school, however we haven't preformed very well. I have no (relevant) work experience either.

Is Oxbridge even worth considering? I want a good university but I also want a lively city with good student life. Though, I think Oxbridge may have more of that than I think.

Are there any other good university you'd advise me to consider too?

The admissions tests are not an optional element and so if you are applying you have to take them. You'll also need to go to interview if invited which I gather is the main mechanism they use to differentiate candidates.

I'm not aware of any summer schemes that lead to reduced offers at Oxford or Cambridge, are you sure this one actually has a direct impact on admissions?

You don't need to do random extracurriculars unrelated to your subject, nor do you need work experience for any course except medicine or vet med.

They will expect you to have been exploring your proposed degree subject beyond the A-level curriculum, for example through wider reading. There's other things you can do also (various competitions and so on) but that's not required, it's just an option to do alongside wider reading.

I don't see any reason not to consider it altogether. Do actually consider if you're interested in the course at either university or if you'd just be applying because "it's Oxbridge" - the latter reason may not be as good a reason to apply.

Reply 3

melancollege

Universities Forum Helper

19

Original post

by orlaughable

Is it possible to get into Oxbridge with mainly grades alone? I'm a year 12 student, predicted A*A*A in Maths, Further Maths and Physics. I'm not sure whether to consider apply to Oxbridge in the summer. It always seems like they need lots of extra requirements, such as an entrance exam for maths and engineering (the two degrees I'm considering). I debated signing up for a Cambridge Women in STEM residential, which might lower the entrance requirements. I don't participate in much extracurriculars, I have competed in Ritangle and an internal maths competition in my school, however we haven't preformed very well. I have no (relevant) work experience either.

Is Oxbridge even worth considering? I want a good university but I also want a lively city with good student life. Though, I think Oxbridge may have more of that than I think.

Are there any other good university you'd advise me to consider too?

Going on a residential would not lower your entry requirements.

Extracurriculars unrelated to the course would have no impact on admissions. 'Supercurriculars', i.e. extracurriculars that are directly related to your chosen course of study and go above and beyond the curriculum, are definitely encouraged. Whilst you may not have many supercurriculars to talk about, you have over nine months until you would need to submit your application. You have plenty of time to look into supercurriculars. You are not expected to spend money and you can let your interests guide you.

Work experience or a lack thereof is unlikely to impact your application outside of Medicine and Vet Med.

Cambridge has an amazing student life. If you visit it may not feel like that but a lot of that is because much of it revolves around college life and societies, which are for students.

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